Mother's Day Treat at Maya Kitchen (Road going 30)

Mother's Day Treat at Maya Kitchen

This year I am looking forward to explore and learn some things that I haven't tried before, one of which is Baking. 

You see I have a sweet tooth and a big fan of Pastry Chef Gale Gand (the host of Sweet Dreams in Food Network) watching the episodes felt like I was drooling over the mouthwatering desserts she makes. I dreamed of doing the same recipes that Chef Gand prepares but the thing is I don't have strong knowledge about baking and no one in our families bakes. It tells me that I will have to start from scratch. 

I'll tell you, I've been planning long enough to attend a short course of culinary arts but I haven't had the guts to make it happen (I don't even know where to start). Then one Saturday of April I saw an invite via Mommy Bloggers Philippines for a mother's day treat of Maya Kitchen so I hurriedly signed up. A week after, I received the great news that I was included in the shortlist of participants.

I am so happy to share with you my very first Baking Experience which happened last Saturday May 10, 2014 at Maya Kitchen Culinary Art Center.

LOCATION

MAYA KITCHEN is situated at the 8th Floor of Liberty Building in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. The building is old as well as the elevator but don't you worry it's safe. It will bring you up on the 7th Floor but you need to take the stairways to reach the kitchen.

This is what you will see upon reaching the 8th floor.☺

The Product Display and The Glass Door Entrance at the Hallway

Enter the glass door and you'll find a row of tables and chairs. You will also see the reception area and the beautiful Capiz-paneled window.

Moving forward the glass door you see at the end is where the magic happens ☺

I almost thought I wouldn't be able to come on time because of the traffic situation from the south but good thing I did. I had a time to take pictures around the area. I had a chance to have a small talk with Chef Rory Subida Maya Kitchen's Culinary Director and resident teacher Ms. Elvie Ibale. Also it was nice to meet my fellow mommy bloggers Ms. Sally, Ms. Edel, Ms. Cynthia and Ms. Arge.

THE CLASSROOM

An Air conditioned Room complete with emergency exit and the Training Kitchen 

As I mentioned earlier, behind the glass door at the end of the paneled window will lead you to the next room. A typical classroom with chairs neatly arranged in a row but instead of a black board you'll see a training kitchen facing you. I felt like I am a student again... yahoo!!! ☺


Part 1 - The Class, The Teacher & A Demo

The class started before 9:30 A.M. we are waiting for the other participants to arrive. Chef Rory had an introduction to Maya Kitchen Culinary Arts Center. I grew up knowing MAYA Pancakes (which my mom used to prepare for us every morning) but honestly it was my first time to know that MAYA KITCHEN did exist. Chef Rory even jokes that Maya started way back 1964, how come we just met (lol). She also told us about the rest of upcoming cooking class schedules at Maya Kitchen for the next coming months. Then she gave the floor to Ms. Elvie Ibale one of their resident cake/pastry teacher in MAYA, had a quick introduction of herself and she was the one assigned to do the demo. Ms. Elvie by the way is such a comic, humble and witty teacher. She's natural in throwing funny punchline here and there that makes the atmosphere in the class light and fun but you will see her seriousness explaining to us the things that we need to take note when baking.

Ms. Elvie Ibale of Maya Kitchen (see how neat they are) / Don't forget to wash your hand first!
Questions and answer during the demo are allowed.

Teacher Elvie did three different recipes and we were assigned to do a hands on for two recipes. Here are some demo pictures that I can share with you. 

Here are the recipes:

♦ Egg Tart

♦ Red Velvet Cake 

♦ Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies (the first and newest recipe at Maya).

Demo of Food Preparation with Ms. Elvie

The Finish Product - Using Maya Products

We had a chance to taste the finished product of Teacher Elvie and it was heaven! especially the egg tart. It was totally different from the usual tart available in the supermarket (those that easily breaks or sometimes crust came too hard). Here the crust is soft and fluffy while the eggs mixtures were smooth and the sweetness is just perfect. 

Having my first bite - I love it!!!
Coffee and other beverage are for free inside the training room!
P.s. Thank you Ms. Edel for taking a picture of me♥
Chef. Rory and Ms. Elvie chatting at the back ☺hehe

PART 2 - HANDS ON (Our turn - Let's start baking)

We were eight in this class, Chef Rory decided to divide us into two groups. The regular trainee and the mommy bloggers. Ms. Arge volunteered to be on the other group though. My group mates are Ms. Cynthia, Ms. Edel and Ms. Sally. Look how the ingredients are neatly prepared. The kitchen is so neat and fresh with complete tools plus reliable staff.

Tools, ingredients and apron all set for the hands on activity

 Here are some of the pictures taken during our Hands On Activity

Preparing our Red Velvet Cake. (The bloody bloggers - because of the red color of the mixture)

The Newest Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies (soft, fluffy, chewy and deliciously made cupcake with love from mommy bloggers group)

Our Group -  Finished Product

We finished doing it on time and we were blessed to take home and share our finished products. It was fun to share opinions and laughter with my fellow mommy bloggers. I also learned so much from this experience. It inspired me to cook and prepare new recipes for my love ones particularly cakes or pastries. An additional recipe for my usual Filipino or Italian dishes. I am so excited to bake again soon at the comfort of our  home but first I have to buy an oven which I can actually make use for baking (lol). I will definitely share my recipes for you. 

I styled my own Red Velvet Cake at Home

I never imagined that baking would be such an enjoyable activity to do and I am so thankful that I had a chance to attend my very first baking training experience of MAYA Kitchen Culinary Art Center. Thank you so much for the opportunity! 

Interested to know more about MAYA Kitchen? 
Click here http://www.themayakitchen.com

The schedule of classes, recipes, products, contacts and other pertinent information are all posted on their website. 

Maya Kitchen Culinary Arts Center

8th Floor, Liberty Building

835 A. Arnaiz Avenue

Legazpi Village, Makati City

 892-5011 loc. 108

Mobile Num: 0947-835-2290

 892-1185 (fax)

contactus@themayakitchen.com

♥♥♥♥